Matthew Widener has a rare photo booth.
In three seconds, its 100 cameras will take 200 images from a variety of angles to create a one-of-a-kind keepsake figurine.
“You can have a miniature toy of yourself. How much more appealing can you get for children? Adults love it too,” said Widener, whose Shrunk 3D Augusta franchise is one of about 40 in the country and only one of two in Georgia.
Made out of a durable nylon, the figurines come in several sizes from three to 10 inches. Once the photos have been taken, it takes about four weeks for the figurine to be completed.
“People who know a lot more about 3D printing than I do are amazed that the color is actually the color of nylon. It’s not painted on,” he said. “It blows them away.”
Widener started his franchise earlier this year and is on the lookout for venues to take the booth. So far, he’s done events such as children’s birthday parties, a cheerleading competition, a roller derby tournament and comic conventions.
“People don’t want to be wearing their everyday clothes,” he said. “They want to make it memorable.”
He’s talked to some couples about making it part of their wedding plans. The figurine makes a unique wedding cake topper.
Widener said that items such as trophies or corporate gifts with a logo on them can also be created using the process.
The mobile Shrunk 3D Augusta business isn’t the first business on wheels Widener has owned. He owned the mobile dog grooming business Grateful Paws with the tie-dye inspired décor and sold it after about eight years.
“I thought I needed a change, and I stumbled onto this,” he said.
The Shrunk 3D concept was appealing because it sounded like fun, and it wasn’t something anyone else was doing.
The photo booth trailer is made in Charleston, S.C., and after a visit with company officials, he was sold.
“The main thing was it seemed fun, different, one-of-a kind. That’s something I’ve always tried to do,” he said.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
